The UAE has a highly diverse population across its seven Emirates, but there's still a strong sense of pride in a shared national identity. To appeal to its well-travelled citizens, brands are proving their commitment with tailored products, events and social engagement.

Ramadan and Eid have become, after Christmas, the second most profitable season for UK retailers. While Middle Eastern shoppers typically prefer luxury boutiques, mass-market brands like M&S, Primark and H&M are starting to benefit from the Ramadan Rush.

Every year in the weeks leading up to the holy month of Ramadan, London’s high-end department stores and boutiques fill up with Middle Eastern tourists looking to do some upscale shopping before a month of restraint, a practice dubbed ‘Ramadan Rush’ or ‘Harrods Hajj.’

From the fashionable Mipsterz to the ‘Happy Muslims’, the latest cultural movements in the Islamic world have been well documented across social media. With a global population of approximately 1.57 billion, what are the implications for brands trying to reach modern Muslims?

Halal Trip rates flights, hotel and tour packages according to their level of ‘Halal friendliness’. It’s aimed at the growing Muslim tourism market, worth $126.1 billion globally and predicted to grow on an average of 4.79% year-on-year until 2020.

HNWIs can take their pick of the finest luxury brands, defined by having a net worth of at least $2 million. There are 13.7 million of these consumers globally, but with so much to spend, how do they choose where to splash the cash first? And as their ranks grow, how will luxury shopping change?

In place of a work-to-live mentality, work has become a lifestyle choice for Gen Y, extending into their travel plans. Others go abroad to spend, with visitors to NYC spending 25% of their travel money on shopping. The second in our two-part series looks at travelling to work and shop.

Ever wanted an elephant at your party? Or maybe a private Jessie Ware gig? It’s never too big an ask of the Ten Group – the global leader in lifestyle concierge services. But why has demand for these services grown so rapidly? And how’s this changing relationships between businesses and UHNWIs?